ETHIOPIAN HELICOPTER CREW ASYLUM REQUEST IN DJIBOUTI

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000562

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF AND PM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2015
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR PGOV ET DJ
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIAN HELICOPTER CREW ASYLUM REQUEST IN
DJIBOUTI

Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARGUERITA RAGSDALE.
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) During Ambassador and USLO's 6/9 regular weekly
meeting with Commander of French Forces General Michel
Arrault, Arrault told Ambassador that he had just received
word that an Ethiopian Mi-24 military helicopter with three
Ethiopian military personnel had landed earlier that morning
in Djibouti. The three were reportedly seeking asylum.


2. (C) Post subsequently learned that the three individuals,
ostensibly a pilot, co-pilot and helicopter mechanic, had
landed the aircraft in Djibouti and that there was a claim
for asylum based on the political situation currently
underway in Ethiopia. According to Djibouti's Chief of
National Security, Hassan Said, the pilot was believed to
have "hijacked" the helicopter on his own accord and that the
two individuals who accompanied had done so unwillingly.
Post also was told by Hassan Said, that following discussions
with President Guelleh, it was decided that asylum would be
denied and that the three individuals and the helicopter
would be returned to the Ethiopian government.


3. (C) Post will seek further details and clarification.
RAGSDALE